Wisconsin Rapids, WI – On the Fourth of July, there were fireworks outside and inside Witter Field, as the Rafters (12-27) overcame a late two-run deficit and walked off the Mud Puppies (5-11), 6-5. The Mud Puppies have now lost six in a row, and the Rafters move to 2-3 in the second half season.

Minnesota struck first in the second inning when first baseman Nick Ibrahim drove in the game’s first run with a single off of Gage Honeyager, one of the team’s three hits in the inning. The Rafters had a quick response in the bottom of the third when INF Dylan Frank smashed a two-run home run down the left field line, his fifth of the season, putting Wisconsin Rapids ahead 2-1.

The Rafters didn’t have the lead for long as Mud Puppies catcher Max Pederson brought home Jun Moeller with a single, tying the game at 2-2, in the 4th. Minnesota would take a 3-2 lead in the 6th when Nick Ibrahim scored from third on a passed ball from Brennan Baker.

Just like the Rafters, Minnesota’s lead wouldn’t last long when Dylan Frank drove in his third run of the game with a single in the 7th, knotting the ballgame at 3-3. However, in the blink of an eye, the Mud Puppies captured a 5-3 advantage in the 8th, headlined by a Beau Thoma RBI 3B, bringing in Max Pederson who was hit by a pitch.

After an Esteban Olazaba RBI single in the 8th, the Rafters were down 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th. With one out, Dylan Frank delivered again as he launched a game-tying home run to left field, his second of the game, igniting life into the Rafters dugout and for the fans at Witter Field. Frank finished the game 4-5, with three extra base-hits and four RBI.

After Frank’s home run, Jax LeGrand followed up with a double and stood as the game-winning run. A Connor Harvie ground out would advance LeGrand to third with two outs. That’s when Mud Puppies reliever Patrick Binnebose threw a wild pitch past his catcher Max Pederson and LeGrand dashed home, beating out the throw, and completing the two-run comeback for the Rafters. Entering last night’s game, the Rafters were 0-20 on the season when trailing after the 8th inning.

Colton LaFave (2-3) recorded the win for the Rafters with Patrick Binnebose (1-3) receiving the loss. The series finale and the last game before All-Star break is set for Sunday, 4:05pm, at Historic Witter Field, with the Rafters looking for their second sweep of the season.